Posted on Dec 14, 2014
SGT Team Leader
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...or risk being discharged with a diagnosis of "adjustment disorder".
Post 9/11, soldiers were being discharged for personality disorders. In our "enlightened" times, many of us realize that this was a catch-all diagnosis used by the government to avoid paying VA benefits to those suffering from PTSD.
Personality disorders are considered pre-existing conditions, of which the military is not culpable, and therefore, isn't required to cover. The label of "adjustment disorder" is wielded quite similarly:
http://reason.com/blog/2014/05/28/adjustment-disorders-in-us-military
This article isn't without merit, as the hurdles are outlined, quite explicitly, in the Army's own AR 135-178.
I'm not posting a link to the AR. There have been quite a few posts on here regarding both sexual assault and causes of discharge initiation, respectively.
Highly inflammatory title? You betcha. Disturbing...absolutely.
Let's educate ourselves (or reintroduce ourselves) on what Army Command has outlined as appropriate COAs.
Posted in these groups: E1688309 SHARPMilitary men Discharge
Edited 10 y ago
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Responses: 9
SFC Michael Jackson, MBA
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Instead of shutting up, someone need to speak up for these victims that were criminally attacked while serving in uniform. Sounds like word play is being used to cheat our service members out of benefits, which is not inconsistent with the reputation of the VA
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MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca
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In the 1950s it was called McCarthyism. Senator Joe had half the country condemned as Communists and the other half seeing Red everywhere they went.

I'm not an expert, my knowledge is based on the research my wife and I have done over the years regarding our son with autism.

Today almost 20% of elementary school students (stats from my area) are diagnosed with adjustment disorders ADD, ADHD, etc. I question the credibility of some of the diagnosis because a handful of these kids can seemingly turn it on and off like a switch. What some of them need is a swift kick in the Djibouti. Once diagnosed and treated, you carry that with you. You don't simply acquire these types of disorders in later life, from the reading I have done. Unless one hides it, that diagnosis should be picked up on an initial medical records review, I would think.

PTS is another story. That is acquired due to involvement in a traumatic event or continued exposure to trauma - combat, physical or mental abuse, assault, etc. A child could suffer from PTS which could present as adjustment disorder at that age, but not an adult, from my understanding.
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SGT Team Leader
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MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca, agreed. I think the problem lies in the inability of the Army to distinguish between the two...or more specifically, the implications of this broad categorization applied to soldiers. It's historically the same with personality disorders: MEPS screwed up. This soldier entered the Army jacked up. Discharge immediately. Just as 1LT (Join to see) mentioned: Adjustment disorders are not necessarily pre-existing. We all know that PTSD appears to be quite different, but due to current doctrine, too many are still being processed as pre-existing conditions. Simply put, the government has everything to gain by labeling these cases as such.
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SSgt Forensic Meteorological Consultant
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And even harder for the male victims whose whole life is upside down and not just with single events but alternating kinds of abuse. The victim feels powerless especially when females are filmed showering. That behavior is disgraceful. A kind of tyranny is imposed by fear of exposure of sexual abuse and the stigma associated with it.

Also, the characterization of Veterans as dangerous just because they get mad. Like trauma wasn't bad enough now it is exacerbated by policies that criminalize victims another time.
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SSgt Forensic Meteorological Consultant
SSgt (Join to see)
10 y
I have thought of that more than once. If I am tired I forget that it is LO L. lol. I wonder if LOL and LOL = Mc2? lol
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SGT Team Leader
SGT (Join to see)
10 y
Larry, quit being difficult :0)
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MSG John Wirts
MSG John Wirts
10 y
Listen to Sgt Erin  Wilkins, Don't be difficult, try a little harder and be impossible! LOL
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